Focus of new infrastructure creation will be more on people than on vehicles: DC

Focus of new infrastructure creation will be more on people than on vehicles: DC

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan 10, 2019: Deputy Commissioner S. Sasikanth Senthil on Wednesday said the administration is keen on the holistic development of Mangaluru by ensuring health, safety, and cohesive environment to people under the Smart City project.

Interacting with mediapersons at a meet-the-press organised at Mangaluru Press Club here, Mr. Senthil said the focus of new infrastructure creation under Smart City project would be more on people rather than on vehicles. Roads would have more space to walk while limiting vehicular space. The entire central business district, including Hampanakatte area, would get a fresh look with wider walkways and bicycle paths after the Smart City project is completed, he said. The administration is keen on developing more public spaces like parks.

Dialogues are initiated among all stakeholders in ensuring pedestrian-friendly infrastructure rather than vehicle-friendly infrastructure. A policy decision would be taken to prevent using public spaces for private vehicles [parking]. Automation of services and utilities would also address many problems the city is facing at present, Mr. Senthil said.

Public transport

Admitting that a robust public transport system would address traffic woes to a considerable extent, Mr. Senthil said attempts are being made to introduce an organised city bus operation system. As a first step, administration has initiated colour-coding of buses and development of an app to get feedback from commuters. The concept would be taken forward to have a PPP for city bus operations.

River fronts

People have almost forgotten the vast river front abutting the city, Mr. Senthil said, noting that all roads would henceforth lead to the river front.

The very idea behind organising the River Festival on January 12 and 13 was to attract people to the river and tap the tourism potential too.

As people stopped going to river fronts, rivers got polluted with trash and waste water. The administration has urged the government to construct at least 20 floating concrete jetties between Kuloor Bridge and Netravathi Bridge on Phalguni (Gurupura) and Netravathi rivers. Many people are waiting to introduce house boats, floating restaurants and ferry services if boat landing facilities are provided by the government, he said.